Are You Tired of Living with Heartburn? Get Answers to Commonly Asked Questions About This Painful Condition

Heartburn, otherwise known as acid reflux, is a condition in which acid from the stomach flows back up into the esophagus. It can result in uncomfortable and painful symptoms and can cause long-term damage to the esophagus. The good news is that there are steps that can be taken to treat acid reflux. Keep reading to learn more about them and then contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500 to make an appointment.

Acid Reflux Can Have Numerous Symptoms

While the most common symptom is a feeling of burning in the chest or esophagus area, there are other symptoms. They include difficulty or pain when swallowing, a hoarse voice, chronic sore throat, chronic cough, feeling like there is food stuck in the esophagus, constant throat clearing, and wheezing.

When to See Your Doctor About Acid Reflux

Most people will experience some level of acid reflux at some point in their lives, and it does not always require help from a doctor. However, if you fall into any of these categories, then it is likely time to seek professional help:

• You have heartburn more than once a week
• Your discomfort is serious enough to affect your daily life
• Your heartburn has progressively gotten worse
• It hurts to swallow
• You are awoken by your heartburn in the night
• You have only had heartburn once in a while, but it has continued for years

In most cases, we can diagnose acid reflux from your symptoms, though we might need to perform allergy testing to see if there is another cause.

The Cause of Acid Reflux is Largely Unknown

While there are some risk factors that can make a person more likely to have acid reflux than another person, there isn’t a single known cause. We do know that it occurs when the muscle barrier between the esophagus and the stomach doesn’t work correctly.

The Link Between Acid Reflux and Asthma

It is common for acid reflux and asthma to occur together. This is even more common in children when experts estimate that about half of children who suffer from asthma also suffer from severe acid reflux. The reason for the link is not clear, but it is clear that when one is present, the other gets worse. As a result, our patients who deal with asthma and develop acid reflux often deal with severe acid reflux.

If you are ready to find the best treatment for you, then we welcome you to contact Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Medical Group at 805-658-9500 to learn more and make an appointment for testing and treatment.